Date: Wed, 6 May 98 11:36:57 -0400
From: NGLTF
Subject: Victory in Ypsilanti Civil Rights Measure
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NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tracey Conaty, Communications Director
tconaty@ngltf.org
202/332-6483 x3303
800/757-6476 pager
2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ngltf.org
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YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN VOTERS UPHOLD CIVIL RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, DC---May 6, 1998----The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF) hailed yesterday's victory for gay and lesbian civil
rights in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti voters upheld a city
ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, race
and other characteristics. The Task Force considers the vote a
significant setback for right-wing groups and their latest strategy
of undoing civil rights at the ballot box.
"This is the new trend in anti-gay organizing -- to attack city
ordinances and local measures when they are passed with the threat
of repeal or referendum," stated NGLTF executive director Kerry
Lobel. "Ypsilanti demonstrates that this strategy failed. Our civil
rights will not be so easily undone."
Last December, the Ypsilanti City Council passed the ordinance
unanimously. The ordinance bans discrimination in housing, employment
and city contracts and includes race, disability, and other
classifications, along with sexual orientation. It was stayed in
February when opponents collected signatures to hold a voter
referendum on repeal of the ordinance. The Task Force expects this
trend will continue but that it will not be the silver bullet
anti-gay groups expected.
The Task Force criticized the organization that led the repeal
campaign for their efforts to define equal rights with so-called
"special rights." "The opposition called themselves Citizens Opposing
Special Treatment, and the people of Ypsilanti didn't buy it. They know
that there is nothing special about being treated equally," said Lobel.
According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, there will be at
least one other local civil rights ordinance voted on this year. The
South Portland, Maine City Council decided to put the issue directly
before voters rather than approve it themselves. The vote will be held
later this year. In Fort Collins, Colorado, right-wing groups have
collected signatures in an effort to undo that city's recently passed
ban on anti-gay discrimination.
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Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
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